Workshop
Design Your Own Renegade Grief Ritual
A four part workshop from Carla Fernandez & The Dinner Party
October 1 – January 7
A four-part creative course and communal experience that invites you to approach your grief with intention. Whether you’re navigating fresh loss or long-ago grief that still lingers, this series offers structure, support, and space to metabolize what hurts and honor what matters.
What if you could transform grief from an experience marked by loneliness and stuckness into one humming with creativity, connection, and agency?
That’s where the power of ritual and peer support comes in.
Grief has a way of showing up loudest around the holidays—when the empty seat at the table feels more pronounced, when the rituals we once shared feel less accessible in their absence, or when we’re trying to show up for others while also needing to care for ourselves. This season can be especially tender.
Design Your Own Renegade Grief Ritual is a four-part creative course and communal experience that invites you to approach your grief with intention. Together, we’ll gather to prepare for the holidays, create new rituals that feel honest and grounding, and reflect together on what the season brought up. Whether you’re navigating fresh loss or long-ago grief that still lingers, this series offers structure, support, and space to metabolize what hurts and honor what matters.
You’ll be guided by Carla Fernandez, co-founder of The Dinner Party and author of Renegade Grief, alongside members of The Dinner Party staff, peer breakout groups, and weekly inspiration to help you bring your own ritual to life.
Early Bird Discount Available until September 10. See Available Options Below.
Workshop Details
What You’ll Walk Away With
A personally designed grief ritual rooted in your story and values
A deeper understanding of how ritual supports healing
A community of practice—fellow grievers and ritual-makers to walk alongside
Creative inspiration and peer support for honoring your loss
A signed copy of Renegade Grief (optional add-on)
Format
Monthly live Zoom sessions (10/1, 11/5, 12/3, 1/7)
Biweekly emails with prompts & creative assignments
Optional office hours with Carla
Breakout groups & peer check-ins via Mighty Networks
Recordings available for those who can’t attend live
Who This Is For
This series is open to anyone navigating loss—whether it’s recent or decades old, sharp or quiet, named or still taking shape. You can be a seasoned ritualistic, or not even quite sure what that word means.
It’s especially for:
Past or present members of The Dinner Party community
Grievers of all ages and experiences who’ve experienced a death loss
Anyone looking for creative, connective ways to tend to a loss
Those anticipating the need for extra tools or support this holiday season
People seeking ritual but not sure where to start
No fancy supplies, creative background, or perfect words required. Just bring your story, your curiosity, and whatever it is you’re hungry for, and we’ll meet you there.
Pricing
Early Bird Discount Available until
Sept 10
Early Bird Access
$135
Full Access to Design Your
Own Renegade Grief Ritual
Early Bird Access + Book
$165
Full Access to Design Your
Own Renegade Grief Ritual +
Signed Copy of Renegade Grief
Session Overview
Session 1: Setting the Table
October 1
4:30 - 6 PT, 7:30 - 9 ET
We begin by grounding in the power of peer support and care practices during times of loss. Together, we’ll get oriented to the space, explore how grief and ritual have shown up in our lives so far, and begin imagining what kind of nourishment we’re truly hungry for this season. You’ll leave with a personal ritual map, foundational tools, and a supportive community to walk alongside as you move through the coming months.
Session 2: Designing Your Ritual
November 5
4:30 - 6 PT, 7:30 - 9 ET
What are the ingredients of a ritual that feels real to you? In this creative session, we’ll gather inspiration, workshop our ideas in conversation with others, and build a plan for your personal grief ritual—whether it’s quiet and solitary or something to share with friends or family.
Session 3: Reflecting and Refining
December 3
4:30 - 6 PT, 7:30 - 9 ET
This is the moment to share back: What did you try? What did you learn? What surprised you? You’ll have the chance to reflect on your ritual, hear from others, and gather ideas to carry you through the final stretch of the holiday season with more presence and ease.
Session 4: Celebrating
January 7
5:00 - 6 PT, 8 - 9 ET
We close with a post-holiday gathering to reflect, release, and toast the road ahead. Bring your wins, your messes, and your memories. Think of it as a renegade New Year’s party—having made it to the other side of the holiday season, we’ll raise a glass to one another, to the rituals we created, and set intentions around how we want to relate to our grief in the year ahead.
FAQs
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The sessions are designed to build on one another, and we encourage you to attend live if you can. That said, we know life happens and that the end of the year is some of the busiest. If you miss one, recordings will be made available so you can catch up at your own pace.
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Nope! You’ll get just as much out of the series whether you’ve read the book or not. If you’d like to dive deeper, there’s an option to receive a signed copy when you register.
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Yes. We’re committed to making this space accessible. A limited number of scholarship spots are available—please email nikki@carlafernandez.co telling us a little more about you and why you are interested in attending this workshop.
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Not at all. This space welcomes all forms of loss—death, breakups, estrangement, identity shifts, changes in health, or even grief for the world itself. If you’re carrying something that needs tending, you’re in the right place.
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Absolutely. We love seeing small groups go through this together.
All proceeds of this workshop will go to The Dinner Party. The Dinner Party is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and your contributions are tax-deductible. Read more in our Impact Reports to see where the money goes.